Details : | Wing Commander Siddabathula Gopi Mohan (24527) Flying (Pilot) was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a pilot in flying branch on 21 Jun 97. Presently he is on the posted strength of C-130J, Special Operations Squadron at Air Force Station Hindan with effect from 08 Feb 1LHe was the Unit Training Officer since the inception of the sqn. He subsequently took over as Flight Commander of the unit on 28 Mar 14. Wg Cdr SG Mohan is a QFI, with a vast operational experience of over 5000 hours including over 1400 hrs on type, he shows exemplary vision and resilience when faced with challenging situations. Along with constraints of operating on a detachment, he has had to contend with shortage of aircrew yet achieve large quantum of flying. As FItCdr, he has led from the front and has dedicated himself tirelessly to ensure operational focus among the aircrew. On 07 Sep 14, in the backdrop of unprecedented floods in J&K, the unit was tasked to undertake immediate relief missions. As has been the case in most HNOR situations, Wg Cdr SG Mohan undertook the first mission by C-13OJ carrying more than 35 tonnes of rescue boats on the first day itself. The massive scale of the calamity brought out the best in him. Even after landing well into mid-night he got on with the job of galvanizing all activities including Operations, Maintenance and Admn. He tactfully mustered all his resources including attachment of qualified aircrew posted to other units. With sheer grit and determination he set the tone for extended relief ops leading from the front. With little concern for own comfort he multi tasked himself, flew missions till early hours, planned for the next day and all the while as a FIt Cdr and Dell Cdr kept a close watch on all the aircraft involved. On a single day, he flew multiple missions to rescue more than 800 people in the multiple shuttles and airlifted more than 50 tonnes of critical relief load. Under his leadership the sqn, with four aircraft and just five sets of aircrew effected a stupendous achievement of flying more than 230 hours and airlifting in excess of 700T of relief load and 6600 survivors, a record of sorts. Wg Cdr SG Mohan, even in face of daunting challenges and stressful conditions, ensured incident free flying. His astute professionalism and concern for Aerospace Safety was amply on display wherein inspite of flying every day, he ensured safe conduct of extended flood relief operations by innovatively operationalising a unit level 'Rescue Operations and Co-Ordination Center'. Leading from the front, he flew 67 hrs in ten days, with extended working hours till well past mid-night each day. His systematic approach, unwavering zeal and motivation inspired his subordinates to achieve this laudable quantum of effort; large flying effort with only five sets of crew and limited manpower operating from a Del. For exceptional devotion to duty and commitment, Hon'ble President is pleased to award Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) to Wing Commander Siddabathula Gopi Mohan. |